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England will press ahead with their Ashes squad announcement despite the arrest of vice-captain Ben Stokes outside a nightclub in Bristol.

In a statement, that the England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that allrounder Stokes was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm after an incident in Bristol, was detained early on Monday but released without charge in the evening.

A man was reportedly left with facial injuries as a result of the incident.

The ECB said Alex Hales, who was with teammate Stokes at the time of his arrest, returned to Bristol in southwest England on Tuesday to help police with the investigation.

Hales and Stoke will miss the fourth one-day international against the West Indies at The Oval on Wednesday.

But ECB director Andrew Strauss said he still planned to name England’s Ashes squad before Wednesday’s match.

Stokes is a certain inclusion, as long as he is fit, while Hales is a less likely contender, having played the last of his 11 Tests 13 months ago.

Stokes is no stranger to controversy, having been involved in several unbecoming incidents in the past.

In 2011he was arrested for obstructing police on a night out and ultimately cautioned.

The following year saw him sent home from an England Lions tour in Australia, alongside team-mate Matt Coles, for repeatedly flouting rules on late-night drinking.

And England was made to do without the all-rounder at the 2014 World T20 after he punched a dressing-room locker in Barbados in frustration at a run of poor form, breaking his hand.

In 2016, Stokes appeared at Northallerton Magistrates Court after being convicted of speeding for a fourth time.

Hales, like Stokes omitted from England’s fourth ODI against the West Indies after returning to Bristol to provide witness evidence about the disorder, was an unlikely inclusion in England’s winter squad in any case.

Channel Seven’s Bruce McAvaney had to work hard for his money interviewing newly-crowned Brownlow Medal winner Dustin Martin on Monday.

McAvaney gushed, rattled off stats and tried several lines of questioning with the deadpan Richmond star before he finally got what he wanted: Dustin to talk about his father Shane.

In response to McAvaney’s probing, the quietly-spoken champion said: “He means the world to me.”

Martin’s words – written by a mate, but delivered with the perfect amount of controlled emotion and honesty – saw Crown’s Palladium Room erupt with applause.

“Dad, I know it is tough for you not being here this week,” he added, “but I know how much you love me and I love you very much.”

By Martin’s own admission, he and his dad share a “special relationship”.

That’s fine. Actually, it’s better than that.

It’s inspiring when a 26-year-old is so close to his father, and so appreciative of what he’s contributed to his life, that he talks him up, defends him loyally and drops in to visit whenever he can.

Even if, as in Dustin and Shane Martin’s case, home visits mean flying to another country so the pair can duck off to the local together.

Shane Martin’s colourful history has been much-publicised in various forms, but for accuracy’s sake, let’s revisit it here.

Allegedly a top-ranking official of the Rebels motorcycle club, the elder Martin was deported from Australia to New Zealand last March when immigration officials ruled he was not of good character.

Shane Martin was deported to New Zealand in March 2016. Photo: Sky News

Over almost three decades, Shane Martin has compiled a significant criminal history in Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, he received a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, in 2004 for aiding and abetting in ecstasy trafficking and was fined for drug possession.

Across the Tasman, his past charges include unlawful assault, burglary, armed with intent and drug offences – a record dating back to 1990.

A groundswell of support for Shane Martin being allowed back into the country to watch his son play in finals, and now the AFL Grand Final, was knocked on the head earlier this month by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Talking to 3AW, the PM said he made “no apologies” for putting the kibosh on a Martin father-son reunion in Australia.

“[Shane Martin] has had his visa cancelled because of his criminal record and association with outlaw motorcycle gangs.”

On Brownlow night, Joe Daniher received muted applause for committing a sporting crime – taking down a more favoured competitor to win the Alex Jesaulenko Medal for Goal of the Year.

Shane Martin’s crimes are of a different ilk (for a start, they’re real) yet his plight in being separated from his famous son struck much more of an enthusiastic chord.

Here’s hoping the positive reaction was in support of Dustin, not his dad.

It must be hard for Dustin to do what he does best, play AFL at the height of his powers, and not be able to have his father watching from the sidelines, or hugging him in the change rooms.

But that’s Shane Martin’s own fault. Dustin’s dad has created this heartbreak.

Instead of lamenting the pain of his separation from his son, he could acknowledge his own actions have caused it. Hopefully, privately, he’s man enough to explain that to Dustin.

Australia has every right to deport people when they not just bend rules, but break laws.

Shane Martin deserves no sympathy, especially not from a crowd gathered to celebrate the best and fairest.

Barry Hall is at it again. This time, clobbering an opponent twice during a local footy grand final.

The former Sydney Swans star, who infamously punched West Coast’s Brent Staker in 2008, was caught on camera laying into an opposing player during the QAFL grand final between Labrador and Palm Beach-Currumbin.

In the footage, Hall – now 40 years old – strikes a player in the face with a swinging left arm.

Hall is then confronted by the opponent, proceeding to strike his face again, knocking him to the ground.

He has reportedly accepted a one-week suspension, down from two, after the incident was graded as intentional with low impact (open hand) and high contact.

Cameron Smith can kick off a record-breaking end to the rugby league season at Wednesday night’s Dally M Awards, where he is expected to claim the top gong.

With Sunday’s grand final and a World Cup still ahead of him, Smith could become the first player to claim the Dally M, then lead his club and country to premiership and international success.

When votes went behind closed doors, Smith led Mitchell Pearce and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck by five votes, with the pair each having underwhelming finishes to the regular season.

Paul Gallen, Billy Slater and Corey Norman might also threaten, but none had the finish to the season that Smith enjoyed.

In an incredible year that took Melbourne to the top of the NRL ladder by three wins, Smith leads all NRL hookers for points, 40-20s, kick metres, line-break assists and try involvements.

Posing the question – is this the greatest season by a hooker in the modern form of the game?

“Statistics would support that point, the way he is creating opportunities for everyone,” Danny Buderus, the only other hooker to win the Dally M, told AAP.

“I just think everyone is doing their job in that team.

“He’s always in a team that wins football games, whether it’s Australia, state or club. He’s just got success all around him.”

Smith’s ability to find a way to win has never been better represented than this season.

He hasn’t tasted defeat in 118 games, with his last loss coming in the series opener of the State of Origin series.

Since then, Melbourne’s only two defeats came with their captain on the sidelines, while the Maroons also swept to Origin series success.

Cameron Smith, pictured with an injured Johnathan Thurston. led Queensland to another State of Origin victory this year. Photo: AAP

In total, his season record stands at 23-3 for Melbourne, Queensland and Australia, where he has been captain in each appearance.

Individually, he’s been rewarded too.

He’s already overtaken Darren Lockyer for the most NRL games, has become the first player to make 40 State of Origin appearances, is the first forward to reach 2000 points and also the only member of the 1000-goal club after Friday’s preliminary final win over Brisbane.

Wednesday’s likely Dally M will also come 11 years after his first – the biggest gap on multiple award winners – cementing his position as one of the most durable to have played the game.

“With goal kicks, games played, it seems like he he’s breaking a new record every week,” Buderus said.

“It just keeps coming. He’s just at that point of his career now where he’s just cashing in on all his hard work.

“They’ll keep coming while ever he keeps playing. He’s got a couple of years left in him.”

Cameron Smith can kick off a record-breaking end to the rugby league season at Wednesday night’s Dally M Awards, where he is expected to claim the top gong.

With Sunday’s grand final and a World Cup still ahead of him, Smith could become the first player to claim the Dally M, then lead his club and country to premiership and international success.

When votes went behind closed doors, Smith led Mitchell Pearce and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck by five votes, with the pair each having underwhelming finishes to the regular season.

Paul Gallen, Billy Slater and Corey Norman might also threaten, but none had the finish to the season that Smith enjoyed.

In an incredible year that took Melbourne to the top of the NRL ladder by three wins, Smith leads all NRL hookers for points, 40-20s, kick metres, line-break assists and try involvements.

Posing the question – is this the greatest season by a hooker in the modern form of the game?

“Statistics would support that point, the way he is creating opportunities for everyone,” Danny Buderus, the only other hooker to win the Dally M, told AAP.

“I just think everyone is doing their job in that team.

“He’s always in a team that wins football games, whether it’s Australia, state or club. He’s just got success all around him.”

Smith’s ability to find a way to win has never been better represented than this season.

He hasn’t tasted defeat in 118 games, with his last loss coming in the series opener of the State of Origin series.

Since then, Melbourne’s only two defeats came with their captain on the sidelines, while the Maroons also swept to Origin series success.

Cameron Smith, pictured with an injured Johnathan Thurston. led Queensland to another State of Origin victory this year. Photo: AAP

In total, his season record stands at 23-3 for Melbourne, Queensland and Australia, where he has been captain in each appearance.

Individually, he’s been rewarded too.

He’s already overtaken Darren Lockyer for the most NRL games, has become the first player to make 40 State of Origin appearances, is the first forward to reach 2000 points and also the only member of the 1000-goal club after Friday’s preliminary final win over Brisbane.

Wednesday’s likely Dally M will also come 11 years after his first – the biggest gap on multiple award winners – cementing his position as one of the most durable to have played the game.

“With goal kicks, games played, it seems like he he’s breaking a new record every week,” Buderus said.

“It just keeps coming. He’s just at that point of his career now where he’s just cashing in on all his hard work.

“They’ll keep coming while ever he keeps playing. He’s got a couple of years left in him.”

No player in the history of the game has won the Brownlow and the award for best player afield in the grand final in the same season.

Martin claimed the game’s top individual honour with a record 36 votes on Monday night.

That tally included 11 best-on-ground performances, which set another record.

The 26-year-old has the chance to cement his place in history when he becomes the first Richmond player to win the Brownlow Medal and then play in the grand final.

He is the bookmakers’ favourite to win the Norm Smith Medal against Adelaide on Saturday.

“It feels a little bit surreal,” Martin told reporters on Tuesday morning, less than 12 hours after having the Brownlow draped around his neck.

“It’s something that I’m proud of, but I’m just concentrating on this week now.

“I think the improvement of all my teammates, the whole team, has certainly helped me get better.

“I put it down to the rest of the guys all chipping in and making it easier.

“I was obviously pretty nervous leading into (the Brownlow ceremony), so now I’m just concentrating on the footy, which is good.”

Martin received a round of applause from his proud teammates when he arrived for training at Punt Road Oval on Tuesday morning.

His Brownlow Medal was left at home on the bedside table but he plans to give it to his mum for safekeeping.

Martin had called his father Shane, who lives in New Zealand after he was deported by the Australian government, straight after he was presented with the medal by last year’s winner Patrick Dangerfield.

The Geelong star was ineligible this season but polled the second-most votes with 33.

The Tigers won 10 of the 11 games where Martin received maximum votes from the umpires, with AFL legend Leigh Matthews hailing his season as probably the greatest ever by a player.

Martin said he had received dozens of congratulatory messages, as well as a couple of missed calls from good friend and 2011 Brownlow Medal winner Dane Swan at 5am.

Martin maintained an elite level of performance as negotiations on a new contract dragged on.

After constant speculation he would take a big-money offer from North Melbourne, he signed a seven-year deal worth an estimated $1.2 million per season with Richmond on the eve of the finals series.

NBA star Lebron James has taken another swipe at US President Donald Trump after the President hit out at National Football League (NFL) players, coaches and owners for taking the knee during the national anthem.

Speaking at a Cleveland Cavaliers’ media day, James refused to refer to Mr Trump by name during a spray in which he lashed the President for trying to “divide us as people”.

“It was solidarity. There was no divide. Even from that guy [Mr Trump] that continues to try and divide us as people,” James said.

“Like I said on one of my social media platforms a couple days ago, the thing that kind of frustrated me and pissed me off a little bit is the fact that he’s now, he’s using the sports platform to try to divide us.”

James also contended Mr Trump didn’t “understand the power that he has for being the leader of this beautiful country”.

“He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the President of the United State for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement,” James said at the media call on Monday (US time).

“He doesn’t understand that, and that’s what makes me more sick than anything.”

“I don’t even like saying his name. So while I have this platform, I will continue to inspire the state of Ohio …”

“Like I said on one of my social media platforms a couple days ago, the thing that kind of frustrated me and pissed me off a little bit is the fact that he’s now, he’s using the sports platform to try to divide us.”

The protest started last year after then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem to protest police treatment of African-Americans and social injustice.

The protest has gathered pace over the past few days with athletes either kneeling, sitting or raising fists during the anthem, which Mr Trump slammed as “a total disrespect of everything that we stand for”.

But Mr Trump has maintained his call for players to be sacked was about “respect for our flag”, not race.

At a media briefing on Monday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: “I think if this is the debate is really for them about police brutality, they should probably protest the officers on the field that are protecting them instead of the American flag.”

Amid his criticism of the athletes, Mr Trump took time to praise the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) after none of its drivers, crew or team members protested during the national anthem before a race in New Hampshire.

So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag – they said it loud and clear!

For those wanting proof of football’s ability to transform lives, the record-breaking exploits of the 2017 Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin would be Exhibit A.

Leaving school aged just 14 and battling a disrupted family life, the Richmond midfielder polled a historic 11 best-on-ground votes to finish with 36 overall.

He finished three votes ahead of last year’s winner, Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield – who was ineligible after being suspended in round 19 – and Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell on 25.

“I think once you step out on the footy field all you think about is footy, it’s just the best two hours of the week,” the notoriously media shy Martin said after becoming just the sixth Tiger to win the AFL’s highest individual honour.

“I think once you step out onto the ‘G it’s just game on.”

Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt react after winning the preliminary final against the GWS Giants. Photo: Getty

This week that game is the grand final against Adelaide, with Richmond attempting to end a 37-year premiership drought.

Martin’s win capped an eventful year marked by speculation about his playing future at Punt Road and the absence of his father Shane, who was deported to New Zealand last year because of his links to the outlaw Rebels motorcycle gang.

The 26-year-old had a stellar season despite the distractions and finally signed a new seven-year deal with the Tigers worth about $1.2 million per season.

“There’s been a lot to think about this year, but I’m glad to be in this position,” Martin said in his acceptance speech. “I’m really happy to be living my dream right now.

“It’s a very awesome position to be in. Just soak it up and enjoying it.”

School was not for Dusty

The heavily tattooed star conceded that he’d often been a handful and admitted that leaving school early had made for a difficult childhood as he moved between his mother’s home of Castlemaine and his father’s in Sydney.

“I think I was about 14, 14-and-a-half, I just wasn’t a fan of school,” he said. “Probably should have stayed in school because I worked a lot of sh–tty jobs after that, but yeah, here I am today.”

Martin’s father organised a job for him and before breaking into professional football he drove forklifts for a living.

“He said if I wasn’t at school he was going to work me hard, so I was getting to work at six in the morning and getting home at six at night and I absolutely hated it,” the 26-year-old said.

“He means the world to me I’m sure everyone’s old man is the same. I’m sure he’s watching over in Auckland so ‘hello’.”

The newly minted Brownlow Medallist also admitted the speculation over his contract talks had taken a toll.

“It was certainly stressful, by the end of it I was sick of everyone talking about, sick of my ugly face being in the paper every day, but you know [my manager] Ralph [Carr] was there for me. I pretty much lived at his house towards the end because I was that stressed out, but I was glad that it got done.”

Martin also admitted there were times where his football career could have gone off the rails.

“I was just a young bloke who liked to play up every now and then and I’m sure Ralph and my old man were sick of it and the club probably as well were fed up with it,” he said.

“So they sat me down and told me to pull me head in, otherwise they weren’t going to help me anymore. So ever since then I think I’ve pulled my head in – a little bit.”

And how will Dustin Martin – multi-millionaire, Brownlow Medallist and potential premiership player – deal with the extra scrutiny?

“It’s been really surreal the last couple of weeks and we are enjoying every moment of it and hopefully we can go one better [in the grand final],” he said.

“I’m obviously not a big fan of it the media or talking in front of people, but I’ve just got to deal with it I guess.”

If you thought the days of people keeping a journal were over, you’d be wrong.

A specially designed journal – which helps users practice gratitude, mindfulness and empathy – is currently all the rage in the sporting world.

Just two of the many athletes using it are newly crowned AFL Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin and Australian cricket captain Steve Smith, who both hailed the product’s impact on their outstanding form.

Martin – who won the AFL’s highest individual honour on Monday evening, polling a record 36 votes – told The New Daily that in 2017, he feels calmer than ever.

“It’s also helped me to feel grateful for all I’ve got … for the opportunity to play footy for a club like Richmond.”

Martin has been using the journal since July last year and will be filling it out on Friday evening – just hours before he runs out onto the MCG for this year’s AFL Grand Final.

Like Martin, Smith said the daily ritual of focusing on his mental health had had a big impact on him.

“I’m feeling a lot calmer in a lot of situations,” Smith told The New Daily.

The 28-year-old cited an example during this year’s Indian Premier League in which his newfound mindset helped him.

“I hit the two sixes to win [in the last over of an IPL match],” he said.

“Everyone asked the next morning how I slept – surely there was lots of adrenaline still running?

“And I was like, ‘No, I had a cracker of a sleep because I was just chilled out’. This stuff really works.”

So, what is in the journal?

The Resilience Project program – which started with a 2011 talk to students at Kew High School – is not just for athletes.

These are the sorts of questions the journal asks.

Founder Hugh Van Cuylenburg, who has spoken to more than 250,000 school students, teachers and parents and a host of NRL, AFL, cricket and netball sides across the country, said while mental health issues in sport are “frightening”, that they affect all sections of society.

“The aim of the journal is to help people appreciate what they have, be present and think of others,” he told The New Daily.

“To practice gratitude, it’s about paying attention to things you do have, not the things you don’t, which can be a trap for elite sportspeople.

“Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and the app Buddhify has proved extremely popular among athletes, who also practice empathy by doing kind things for people.

“There’s so many proven benefits that come from this, and many of the athletes I work with will do things like buy a coffee for someone else in a queue, work with the homeless, send thoughtful emails to those close to them or make an effort with friends who might be struggling.”

Van Cuylenburg said he did not want to take credit for their form but hopes the journal has given Martin and Smith a sense of gratitude and the ability to be present and in the moment.

The independent view

Dr Clive Jones – an expert in sports psychology from Bond University – said The Resilience Project journal gave much-needed “perspective and life balance” to athletes.

“It is uncommon [to fill out a journal in this day and age],” he told The New Daily.

“It’s something people wouldn’t normally do. But having something concrete and in place to get people thinking is a good thing.

Athletes across many sports use the journal.

“It’s about building a positive mindset. Athletes ride an emotional rollercoaster and those who are too engrossed or obsessed … it can inhibit their performance.

“It’s definitely important for athletes to stop and think … they can get in a manic fluster at times.

“By practicing empathy, it helps team dynamics, and the other stuff [gratitude and mindfulness] can optimise personal performance.”

Last year’s winner Dangerfield was ruled out of contention after being suspended for a dangerous tackle, but the prospect of Martin being outpolled was alive until round 23 when the gun Tiger polled three votes.

The shortest-priced favourite in Brownlow history, Martin becomes the sixth Tiger to win the AFL’s most prestigious individual award.

It adds to a remarkable year for the Tigers, who will break a 35-year drought when they face Adelaide in Saturday’s grand final.

No player in history has won both the Brownlow and Norm Smith medals in the same year but Martin would have to be a huge chance to do just that.

TAB Sportsbet has Martin favourite at $4.75 to be named best afield in the grand final, ahead of Adelaide’s Matt Crouch and Rory Sloane (both $8).

Martin had earlier been recognised by the AFL Players Association and AFL Coaches Association as the competition’s most valuable player.

The question of whether he would exercise his rights as a free agent and find a new home was the AFL’s hottest topic for much of the season.

But Martin refused to let the speculation affect his play, running rampant with his trademark fend-offs and ball-gathering talent for a career-best year.

In a huge boost for the Tigers, the 26-year-old last month signed a new seven-year deal worth about $1.2 million per season.

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